Jul 9, 2012
9 July - Quotidian Quotations
"'Do your own thing' is not so different than 'every man for himself.'"
...and later, in the same article...
"Thanks to the '60s, we are all shamelessly selfish."
These come from a thought-provoking - and perhaps just plain "provoking" - article in the New York Times on American liberty, which unfortuantely applies to Canada a great deal as well. It's worth a read - and if you do read it, why not tell us what you think and why?
Here's the article: The Downside of Liberty by Kurt Andersen, published 3 July 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/opinion/the-downside-of-liberty.html
Jul 7, 2012
8 July - Quotidian Quotations
"We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us. We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand—out in the wide open spaces of God's grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise."
- Romans 5:2 (The Message)
Wow!
-J
7 July - Quotidian Quotations
It's a tough topic that we all need to wrestle with - and not just once, but all throughout life, as our circumstances, income and maturity level all keep changing.
Here are some wise words that I just came across today, on God and money:
" (G)give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.
Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God."
- from the Bible, Proverbs 30:8-9
May we take this wisdom to heart - and to our wallets as well.
-J
Jul 6, 2012
6 July - Quotidian Quotations
From Mary's song:
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name."
What great things has God done for you? Please join me today in thanking him for both his constant care for us and those "wow" moments he brings us as well.
“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me—
holy is his name."
What great things has God done for you? Please join me today in thanking him for both his constant care for us and those "wow" moments he brings us as well.
Jul 4, 2012
4 July 2012 - Quotidian Quotations
In honour of American Independence Day, and all our friends and family south of the border, here are a couple of (somewhat) tongue-in-cheek excerpts from an article in The Globe and Mail, one of Canada's national newspapers, exposing the conflicted, love-hate and envy-disdain relationship that many of us Canadians have with the USA:
"(C)elebrate this 4th of July by acknowledging what we all, in our hearts, know to be true: Americans have stuff that we want."
...and later, in the same article...
"Canada and the United States are separated by the world’s longest one-way mirror.
Americans look and see a slightly greyer version of themselves; Canadians survey the landscape and see the world’s largest, best-armed shopping mall. We might do them a disservice that way; there are things, from here, we just don’t get.
America is a service not available in Canada."
- Ivor Tossell, "Let’s celebrate July 4th by admitting: Americans have stuff that we want, " in The Globe and Mail, 3 July 2012.
Ouch! This is all too true, in my experience. I suspect both Canadians and Americans do each other a "disservice," as the article puts it, by pinning each other down with these partially true but deceptively simplistic perceptions and stereotypes.
May we celebrate each other's independence days this year - so close together, with Canada Day on July 1st and American Independence Day on the 4th - by admitting our own country's weaknesses and refusing to point the finger at those of the other country, and by honestly assessing and appreciating both our own and each other's strengths. And most of all, by approaching ourselves and our neighbours across the border with a humble, gracious attitude. Amen.
-J
A prayer for Canada, from the Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Church of Canada, p. 59
ALMIGHTY and merciful God, who in thy wisdom dost divide to the nations their inheritance: We yield thee hearty thanks for thy loving-kindness in appointing this good land of Canada to be our dwelling-place among the children of men; for the wealth and glory of its plains and mountains, its fruitful fields and teeming waters; for the precious things of heaven, the dew, the sunshine, snow and rain in their season, and the precious things of the earth and the fulness thereof; for a land wherein there is bread without scarceness. For all this, and the opportunities thus vouchsafed to us, we bless thee and magnify thy Name. And, we pray thee, grant us grace so to sanctify thee in our heritage that the world may know that thou art our God for ever and ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the USA, from the Book of Common Prayer, The Episcopal Church in the USA, p. 820
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
"(C)elebrate this 4th of July by acknowledging what we all, in our hearts, know to be true: Americans have stuff that we want."
...and later, in the same article...
"Canada and the United States are separated by the world’s longest one-way mirror.
Americans look and see a slightly greyer version of themselves; Canadians survey the landscape and see the world’s largest, best-armed shopping mall. We might do them a disservice that way; there are things, from here, we just don’t get.
America is a service not available in Canada."
- Ivor Tossell, "Let’s celebrate July 4th by admitting: Americans have stuff that we want, " in The Globe and Mail, 3 July 2012.
Ouch! This is all too true, in my experience. I suspect both Canadians and Americans do each other a "disservice," as the article puts it, by pinning each other down with these partially true but deceptively simplistic perceptions and stereotypes.
May we celebrate each other's independence days this year - so close together, with Canada Day on July 1st and American Independence Day on the 4th - by admitting our own country's weaknesses and refusing to point the finger at those of the other country, and by honestly assessing and appreciating both our own and each other's strengths. And most of all, by approaching ourselves and our neighbours across the border with a humble, gracious attitude. Amen.
-J
A prayer for Canada, from the Book of Common Prayer, Anglican Church of Canada, p. 59
ALMIGHTY and merciful God, who in thy wisdom dost divide to the nations their inheritance: We yield thee hearty thanks for thy loving-kindness in appointing this good land of Canada to be our dwelling-place among the children of men; for the wealth and glory of its plains and mountains, its fruitful fields and teeming waters; for the precious things of heaven, the dew, the sunshine, snow and rain in their season, and the precious things of the earth and the fulness thereof; for a land wherein there is bread without scarceness. For all this, and the opportunities thus vouchsafed to us, we bless thee and magnify thy Name. And, we pray thee, grant us grace so to sanctify thee in our heritage that the world may know that thou art our God for ever and ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer for the USA, from the Book of Common Prayer, The Episcopal Church in the USA, p. 820
Almighty God, who hast given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly beseech thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of thy favor and glad to do thy will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom in thy Name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to thy law, we may show forth thy praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in thee to fail; all which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Jul 3, 2012
3 July - Quotidian Quotations
Here's one for all those who are concerned about noticing increasing numbers of gray hairs:
"Gray hair is a mark of distinction,
the award for a God-loyal life."
- the Bible (Proverbs 16:31)
May we grow older gracefully, not denying our age by trying obsessively to get rid of the gray and wrinkles, but rather being convinced of God's intervention and care on our behalf, and thankful for the wisdom and other blessings he's brought to us over the years.
"Gray hair is a mark of distinction,
the award for a God-loyal life."
- the Bible (Proverbs 16:31)
May we grow older gracefully, not denying our age by trying obsessively to get rid of the gray and wrinkles, but rather being convinced of God's intervention and care on our behalf, and thankful for the wisdom and other blessings he's brought to us over the years.
Jul 2, 2012
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